Plans to create a hospice for Winchester on the site of Royal Hampshire County Hampshire have been boosted with the news that Winchester Rotary has chosen the appeal as its dedicated charity partner for the upcoming year.
Winchester Hospice has been chosen by incoming Winchester Rotary President Les Haswell, whose year starts from July 2018. The incoming president typically nominates two charities to benefit from the support of Winchester Rotary during their year in office. President-elect Les, however, has chosen to concentrate efforts solely on Winchester Hospice.
He said: “Creating a hospice in Winchester is an incredibly important project that is of such value to the local people of Winchester and the surrounding area, which will have a lasting impact for years to come. I think it’s an incredibly worthwhile cause that is deserving of our full commitment.”
The Hospice, which will be run by Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, will provide specialist end of life care both on-site and in the community. As well as 10 inpatient beds, Winchester Hospice will provide a hospice at home service, supporting patients who wish to remain in their own home when they are in the last few weeks of their life, and space for day therapy services and outpatient facilities.
With no hospice currently situated in the city, Winchester Hospice will mean that patients and their families spend less time travelling to receive care or visit a loved one, and more time enjoying special moments together.
With over £2.5million needed to convert Burrell House into a place that feels more like a home than a hospital for its patients and their families, the partnership with Winchester Rotary will help the project get closer to its aim of opening the hospice in 2019.
Alex Whitfield, chief executive of Hampshire Hospitals, said: “We are thrilled that the Winchester Hospice has been chosen as a charity partner for the next year and are incredibly grateful for the Rotary’s support."
